00:00I'm Lily Douse and this is Grand Voyager.
00:05In this series I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way I meet the people, taste the flavours and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:26Today I'm travelling to Uzbekistan in the heart of Central Asia.
00:31Its cities were once important stops along the Silk Road where different cultures came together.
00:38My first stop is the Islamic Civilisation Centre in Tashkent.
00:43It took almost nine years to build and its grand design and enormous dome are inspired by Uzbekistan's historic art.
00:52architecture.
00:53Inside, the museum explores centuries of history, culture and scientific discoveries.
01:00Right now we are seeing in the main hall of our centre, a hall of gallery.
01:05In this hall you can see 14 semi old frames around us representing our scholars.
01:10Everything comes together, it is absolutely breathtaking inside it.
01:15The mosaic designs celebrate renowned Islamic scholars, bringing their stories to life through interactive displays presented in a range of
01:26languages.
01:42The centre's collection includes historical objects, maps and scale models.
01:49Among them is a display about the Kabarin Mecca, the holiest site in Islam.
01:55In front of us you can see the fragment of Kaaba Kaaba that was used in 1988 to cover Holy
02:03Kaaba.
02:04The verse from Quran and decorations were made of silver and gold streams.
02:09Earlier Kaaba coverings were much more colourful than those used today.
02:14Another important artefact is a fragment of one of the largest handwritten Korans ever made.
02:22Omar Akhtar was a calligrapher and he copied this large Holy Quran book in 14th century and sent Amir Tamur
02:30as a gift to impress him.
02:33The final room houses a Koran manuscript, thought to be one of the oldest in the world.
02:41This hall is located in the middle of our centre, under the dome.
02:46Over one million Swarovski stones were laid by a hand.
02:51It's a spectacular room, the stars, the ceiling, having the ancient Holy Quran, it's spectacular.
03:03Uzbekistan has so many ways to immerse yourself in the culture and the history.
03:09And this definitely has been fascinating.
03:14Tashkan is full of beautiful architecture.
03:17But some of the most impressive sites can be found underground.
03:21At Cosmonatla Metro Station, the walls are decorated with artworks celebrating the history of space travel.
03:31Tashkent Metro is opened in 1977.
03:34The length of Tashkent Metro is 71 kilometres, which is included 50 stations.
03:40Almost 50% of the Tashkent population use this transport.
03:44Many of the stations celebrate Uzbekistan's heritage and culture.
03:49One such station incorporates architecture inspired by the poet Alisha Nevoi.
03:56This is one of the top metro stations I've been to. I've never seen so many domes.
04:03Tashkent was the first city in Central Asia to have a metro.
04:07It started with just nine stations on a single line.
04:13This is the Paflako station. All the architecture is handmade.
04:17Much of the metro dates back to when Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union.
04:23Many of the original stations keep their same grand designs.
04:28I love the mosaics on the walls. It's very impressive.
04:32And also so clean.
04:34Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991.
04:37And some of its names have changed over time.
04:42This is Independence Avenue station.
04:44Before it was named Lenin Square.
04:46After reaching Independence Day, it changed the name to the Independence Square.
04:52With chandeliers, mosaics and marble walls, these really are unique metro stations.
05:01Food is a big part of Uzbek culture.
05:05Here in Tashkent, the Museum of Polov celebrates the country's famous rice dish made with meat and vegetables.
05:13This is a typical Uzbek palace with a famous bread.
05:19This is the smell of Central Asia.
05:21It smells divine. I'm so ready to eat. So let's get cracking.
05:26Let's go.
05:28Chefs come from across Uzbekistan and prepare their own versions of polov.
05:33These are all the different ones on one way.
05:36All different polov.
05:37It's a dish that brings people together.
05:39But there's also some friendly rivalry.
05:43Each region is proud of this polov.
05:46That is why if you're asking Tashkent people what kind of the best polov, you say Tashkent was.
05:50If you're asking from Bukhara, you say Bukhara.
05:52Samarkand, Samarkand. For me, Tashkent.
05:54I think the Tashkent one might be my favorite. I think this one.
05:59The kitchen also prepares traditional Uzbek pastries filled with meat and vegetables and baked in large clay ovens.
06:08It really is a palace dedicated to Uzbek cuisine.
06:14Uzbekistan is full of historic cities.
06:17And Samarkand is one of the most famous.
06:20Known for its incredible architecture, its historic center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
06:30Uzbekistan.
06:31Uzbekistan.
06:31Once upon a time, a thousand years ago, here were lots of caravans.
06:35And they used to bring goods from every part of this wonderful world, meeting each other here.
06:42But then the big space for caravans had been transformed into this wonderful ensemble with the three majestic madrasas.
06:51The Ulag Beg Madrasa dates back to the 15th century.
06:55It was an Islamic school where students lived and learned.
06:59In this madrasa, they would study astronomy, philosophy, Arabic poets and Persian poets.
07:06And this university, they were fountains of development of science.
07:10Science which is recognized as a contribution to the world culture today.
07:15It feels very calming and relaxing in here.
07:19The big open space out there.
07:21And then you come in.
07:22And I can imagine studying here.
07:24Nearby is Shazinda, a collection of mausoleums dating back centuries.
07:31The mausoleums dedicated for the royal family.
07:34Mostly they were built in the 14th century.
07:37But they were built next to the place which is famous from the 8th century.
07:42The tomb of Qasim ibn Abbas, the cousin of Prophet Muhammad Rasulullah.
07:48The site remains an important place of pilgrimage today.
07:52Attracting visitors from all over the world.
07:56All these glazed bricks, you see.
07:58Yeah.
07:58They are actually calligraphy in Arabic.
08:01Oh.
08:01In Fufi style.
08:02Much of the historic site was destroyed in the 13th century.
08:06But new mausoleums were built in the years that followed.
08:12Samarkand was also a major centre for papermaking.
08:16And we've come to a traditional mill to find out more.
08:20We call it silk paper.
08:21That paper which is produced here.
08:23Handmade.
08:25And as a raw material we use the bark of a mulberry tree.
08:29The outer bark is peeled away.
08:32And then the inner fibres are boiled.
08:34Once softened, they're beaten into a pulp.
08:37Using a water wheel for power.
08:40This part we use for silk paper production.
08:42With no glue.
08:43With no any chemicals.
08:44With no any chemical colours.
08:47All natural made.
08:48Yes.
08:48All natural made.
08:49The pulp is then spread onto a screen.
08:52To form thin sheets of paper.
08:54That are pressed and dried.
08:56Once ready.
08:58We polish the paper.
08:59Rubbing the surface.
09:00To make it smooth and shiny.
09:03It's this silky finish.
09:05That gave the paper its name.
09:08One of the busiest places in Samarkand.
09:11Is Sayab Bazaar.
09:12The stores are packed with dried fruits and nuts.
09:15As well as sweets and honey.
09:18But there's a little trick to finding the best quality.
09:22You ask him please give me raisins.
09:24Or please give me almonds or pistachios.
09:28But give me something which you have behind.
09:31Oh.
09:32Because in Oriental Bazaar.
09:34What is already shown is very delicious.
09:37But which is behind hidden.
09:39This is for superb tastes.
09:41The city is famous for its raisins.
09:45And I'm keen to try them for myself.
09:49I've never tasted a raisin like that.
09:51It's really meaty.
09:52Happy first time.
09:53They're delicious.
09:54Everything is amazing.
09:56The nuts here.
09:57The dried fruits.
09:58Because it's good quality.
10:00Another of the city's famous food traditions.
10:03Is this distinctive round bread.
10:06At this family bakery.
10:08I'm learning how it's made.
10:09In the days of Silk Road.
10:12Traders would carry Samarkand bread.
10:14On their long journeys.
10:16Tandir is a big oven for baking bread.
10:21And this size of Tandir.
10:24Fits about 40-45 pieces of Samarkand bread.
10:28Each bread is one kilo and a half.
10:30Each loaf is carefully shaped by hand.
10:34Before being placed against the hot walls of the oven.
10:41The heat from the oven is intense.
10:44And these loaves take around half an hour to bake.
10:47Ah, that smells amazing.
10:50This is the top.
10:51Once the bread is ready.
10:52It's time to see how everything turned out.
10:55That is the most perfect bread I have ever seen.
11:00And they come up pretty easy.
11:02He's done them to perfection.
11:05Here bread is traditionally shared between friends and family.
11:09And with loaves this size, there is plenty to go around.
11:15This is so heavy.
11:17One kilo of bread.
11:19And it smells divine.
11:21As my time in Samarkand comes to an end.
11:25I look back on my journey through this beautiful country.
11:30It's the experiences I've had along the way.
11:34That make this trip extra special.
11:38Uzbekistan has been a tale of two cities.
11:41One with historic culture.
11:44And the other with much more modern style.
11:47There's so much to explore.
11:49But now, time for my next adventure.
11:53This World Network the North Sebastian Wars spill far past Alley.
11:58This 새 nei Kyle Ruffins caught the way.
11:58It's called the D жители pick baskets and the Heart Class sins.
11:58This network matters some principalmente.
11:58There's nothing to understand...
11:59We're no wonder,
11:59Keep it safe.
11:59And time for everything.
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